Need advice

OK, so I wanted to get some input from people that are already nurses and have a feel for what that job is all about. I'm currently taking pre-reqs to try to get into a program but I've started having some second thoughts. Not really second thoughts so much but...something. I currently have a good job that I've held for over 18 years. The business I work in has been sold and is now corporately owned so I've been working on my backup plan (nursing school) because I want to be able to have a life skill that I can always have to get employment. There is no telling what will hapen now that we are corporately owned. When it comes down to getting into program would you quit a good job to work towards lifetime security (since the security of the 18 year job is going down the tubes quickly) or would you just stay at the job until you were forced out and then you wouldn't have any options but to take a job making 1/2 of your current salary. Plus I would have to go into debt with student loans. What would you do? Would you get your nursing license still or wait?